D E S I G N E R
ARTIST STATEMENT
In designing any piece, I produce a series of sketches using geometry to resolve considerations of space. Here, it is important for me to see the immediate impact of the impetus. If I see that the sketches fail to embody the intention, I pause, then assess and rework the design. Although I am stringent in the primordial stage, the rest of the creation process is flexible and organic. The materials chosen play a critical role in the feeling that the piece emanates. Crystal polyhedrons and light emitting diodes (LEDs) bring a unique quality, as well as two modes for daytime and nighttime display. This allows the dimension of time to play a role in the piece. When sunlight hits the crystal polyhedrons, the glass refracts light creating rainbow patterns on the surrounding surfaces. In the absence of natural light, LEDs illuminate the form. As I assemble the parts, either by soldering or wire wrapping, I make sure that all connections work properly, fusions are smooth, and the form is aesthetically pleasing.
I strive to create large-scale installations composed of individual pieces that can stand alone. “Lotus Magnolia” is made up of three anatomical parts. The large outer petals that compose a budding flower, the elaborate lighting structure that acts as the pistil, and the smaller sculpture that stands as the stamen. The result is a complex arrangement which can easily come apart to be displayed separately, or one large piece with a dramatic presence. My focus is on the ultimate whole, and in order to achieve that, I ensure that the parts are complete in their own right.
BIO
Andie Villafañe was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and grew up bilingually fluent in Spanish and English. The youngest child and twin in a family of four girls, she and her family traveled widely since her childhood. Her father's work as a U.S. diplomat exposed her to different cultures living in Yemen, Panama, Somalia and the United States. After living in various parts of the world with her family, she returned to Argentina where she studied graphic design. Her many travels nourished an appreciation for diversity, but also instilled in her a sense of the ephemeral nature of life. Her mother’s passing in 2003 was the impelling force for the creation of art pieces, as a way to honor her mother’s memory, and for her own personal and artistic growth.
Andie works professionally as a graphic designer. She applies conceptual thinking, problem solving and visual communication skills to a wide range of creative projects on a daily basis. She is a core member of LA ArtLab, an artist collective that meets regularly to exchange ideas, provide feedback and pool resources. The group also organizes exhibitions and group visits to galleries, museums and studios. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she participates in the city's diverse artistic scene.
